Castello di Cicala

Castelcicala, Italy, Italy

---

Castello di Cicala, also known as Castelcicala, is a historic hilltop castle overlooking the area of Nola in Campania.

Its origins are uncertain, with traditions linking it either to a refuge built after the destruction of Nola in the 5th century or to the Lombard period, but it is documented by the 10th century and was later rebuilt and strengthened under Norman rule. Because of its strategic position, the castle played an important military role during the Middle Ages and served as a base during Norman campaigns around Naples in the 12th century.

Over the centuries it passed through the hands of several noble families, including the Orsini and Ruffo families, as its defensive importance gradually declined. Today, the castle remains an important historical landmark. Its walls, courtyard, and restored interiors preserve traces of its medieval past, while the hilltop setting offers impressive views of the surrounding countryside and the Nola plain.